Bayern Munich have ruled out making a move for Barcelona's Lionel Messi, with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying the La Liga club and their player "should not be separated from each other."
Messi, 27, has been at Barca for more than half of his life, but in recent months he has appeared to be considering a transfer away from the club after reportedly clashing with coach Luis Enrique.
The Argentina captain has been linked with a switch to the Premier League, and in the past there has also been speculation that the attacker could reunite with his old Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola at Bayern.
However, speaking to kicker, Rummenigge has dismissed the idea that the Bundesliga club will ever make a move for the player.
"Messi and Barcelona are like a marriage for a lifetime. They should not be separated from each other, just like Bayern and [Philipp] Lahm," he said.
"I know those in charge at Barcelona pretty well, they will never sell him. He has a 250 million-euro release clause. Messi has to stay at Barcelona."